Who was the greater warrior, Karna or Arjuna, according to original phrases from the Mahabharata?

 Karna and Arjuna both were the most superior warriors of their age. Let's analyze their performances throughout life

Arjuna in Drona's gurukul was regarded as the only Atiratha. He was said to be skilled in the use of all weapons. There is no such mention of Karna in Drona's gurukul except that he was a student there. Drona denied Karna the Brahmastra and Karna left to learn from Parshurama. Fast forward many years. Rangbhoomi contest. Arjuna performs great archery feats and displays his celestial weapons. Karna barges in and performs the same feats with much more dexterity, skill and ease. Karna had just outclassed Arjuna here.

But this was the turning point of Arjuna's life. He realised that there still are better warriors and archers than him and if he really wants to become the best infallible archer, he has to come out of Drona's realm. While Karna relaxed himself with all the weapons obtained from Parshurama, Arjuna started to exert himself and pleased various Gods. Being Indra's son he also gained an advantage in learning those weapons. He pleaded Agni, Varuna, Yama, Rudra, Indra, the Gandharvas and many other celestials and obtained all possible weapons from them including Varuna's noose, Yama's mace and Kubera's Antardhana. But merely gaining weapons doesn't give u an upper hand. He obtained experience by fighting aquatic and monstrous demons and vanquished them. He fought with Gandharvas and other beings to increase his arsenal of weapons and experience. Karna too, carried out Digvijaya and defeated all the kings, including the mighty Jarasandha and Bhagadatta which was an extraordinary feat. But they were mere mortals. In the Ghosha Yatra, Karna's inability to counter the Gandharva illusions of Chitrasena showed how Arjuna has started gaining the upper hand over Karna. Yes, Karna vanquished Ghatotkacha's illusionary Yatudhanas and Paulomas but they were nothing compared to Nivatakavachas and Kalkeyas. Karna was an exceptionally good warrior , but Arjuna has started increasing his level exponentially.

Karna was outclassed in the Virata war. There too, his vulnerability and Arjuna's superiority has started showcasing itself. His natural armour was taken away in exchange for an infallible dart Vasava Shakti. In the Kurukshetra war, Karna entered at the 11th day. Till then, Arjuna had acclimatized to the conditions and settled himself well. Karna started showcasing his superior prowess when on the 12th day he repelled a group attack by Arjuna, Bhima and Satyaki. But on the 13th day, he was vanquished by Abhimanyu not just once but 7 times. He did manage to cut of his bow and shield but then too, his losses were seen. His lack of concentration owing to his stopping his learning process and improvement of skills was clear. Abhimanyu was no match for Karna even at this stage. But simply being overpowered by Abhimanyu was certainly a blotch on Karna's military career. Karna lost to Bhima and Satyaki on the 14th day. He did manage to humiliate Bhima on that day, but before that he was defeated by Bhima. We can give him the benefit of doubt for fighting mildly. Whereas Arjuna had shown what destruction he was truly capable of on the 14th day when he literally crossed 3 arrays created by Drona, which included all the main Kaurava warriors, defeated them badly and achieved his goal of killing Jayadratha while Karna was rendered helpless.

A different Karna was seen from the 14th night when he started routing the Pandava and Panchala army and Lord Krishna had to send Ghatotkacha especially to stop him. Lord Krishna was clear that no one could have countered Karna in that night battle. Only he could stand in front of the Rakshasa. Karna with ease dispelled all the illusions of Ghatotkacha but was unable to kill him easily with his celestial weapons. Here again, a lack of more infallible weapons than Arjuna was seen when as a last resort he has to use the Vasava Shakti to kill Ghatotkacha.

When made Supreme Commander a more fierce Karna was seen when no one from the Pandava army could even stand in front of him. He also used his divine bow Vijaya for the first time on the day of his death. He routed everyone, repelled huge group attacks which included Arjuna, humiliated 4 Pandava brothers, used the deadly Bhargavastra and made Arjuna sweat in the last battle. He had won every heart with that performance. But his lack of patience, confidence and perseverance was seen in the last battle when he got tired and started to get overpowered by Arjuna later. He gave his best till his last breath and fought like the valiant Kshatriya he was. He was killed by the best warrior of his age after a brutal and extraordinary performance.

Arjuna excelled Karna in these skills. His concentration, experience, strategy, patience, perseverance helped him prevail over Karna. Both were extremely skilled archers but Arjuna never stopped learning even after his PhD whereas Karna remained content with graduation. This made the ultimate difference. Today, both warriors are remembered equally well and respected. But Arjuna is remembered as an ideal student. IIM Kozhikode has a statue of Arjuna to motivate its students to be a student like Arjuna.

Both gave us different lessons in life. While Karna taught never give up to circumstances, Arjuna taught to never be contented with ur progress and always aim to make ourselves better.

Considering all these points Arjuna was superior to Karna but Karna wasn't far behind.

Did Subhadra Haran take place on orders of Lord Krishna or it was Arjun who did it on his own?

Devi Subhadra

Subhadra was daughter of Vasudev and sibling of Balram and Krishna. When Arjun was on his penance exile, he went to Dwarka and saw Subhadra during a gathering and immediately fell in love. Krishna told Arjuna that Swayamvara is the best way for a princess of warrior clan to get married but it's never certain which prince she choses so he should take Subhadra on his chariot and run away. While Subhadra was with her friends doing worship of Raivat mountain and other deities, Arjuna took her in his chariot and ran away from Dwarka. Balram and others got really angry but Krishna reasoned with them and Arjun was welcomed by Vasudev and others and Subhadra and Arjuna got ritually married.

Later, Arjuna took Subhadra to Indraprastha where they were welcomed but not by Draupadi. Then Arjuna told Subhadra to become a milkmaid and greet Kunti and Draupadi. Subhadra’s humility won over Draupadi and soon Subhadra gave birth to Abhimanyu. So, Arjuna wanted to marry Subhadra and Krishna blessed the couple.

Source- Mahabharata

Who was Subhadra in the Mahabharata?

Subhadra was a very beautiful daughter of Vasudev and she was sister of Balram and Krishna. Arjuna during his penance exile saw Subhadra during a gathering of Vrishnis and Andhakas and immediately fell in love with her. With Krishna’s advice, he abducted Subhdra when she was doing prayers. The warriors of Dwaraka got really angry but Krishna with his words convinced the warriors including Balram to accept the marriage and welcome Arjuna. Arjuna and Subhadra were welcomed in Dwarka where they ritually got married. All this happened with blessings of Shri Krishna because Arjuna would never do such a thing to a sister of his best friend who was also equivalent of his Guru without his permission. The feelings of Subhadra is not mentioned in Mahabharata regarding her abduction but she seems to have happily accepted Arjuna as her husband.

Draupadi initially was salty with this relationship, probably she thought Subhadra was her equal and therefore her rival but on Arjuna's orders she introduced herself to Kunti and Draupadi as a milkmaid and her humility won over Draupadi and she accepted Subhadra as her co-wife.

Source- Mahabharata

How many Brahmastras were actually used in the Mahabharata?

 

• Bhishma and parashuram used it on each other in their duel neutraling each other.
• Arjun used it again shiv in his hunter form but it couldn't even scratch the deity
• Pradyumna used it against king shalva when he attacked Dwaraka
• Against the nivatakavachas arjuna used it to kill several thousands of them.

In the Kuru war

• Bhishma used it to kill Virats son Shweta to save his own life from the Matsya prince.
• Arjuna used it on 12th day against samsaptaka foot soldiers.
• Arjun used Brahmastra twice against Drona’s assault.
• Drona used it to counter the celestial spear of Yudhisthira on 14th day, which Yudhisthira countered by his own Brahmastra.
• Drona used it against king Vrihatkshatra but the latter neutralised it with his own weapon.
• Drona used it against Yudhisthira on 14th night which he counters with his own Brahmastra.
• On 15th day Drona used a higher variant of Brahmastra against arjuna which he apparently countered with his own Brahmastra but in reality arjuna survived due to krishn and Hanuman protecting his chariot.
• Later that day Drona used it against Panchal foot soldiers burning them to ashes.
• Further in the duel between Dhristadyumna and Drona, both of them used it against each other.
• Arjun used a supreme variant of Brahmastra to counter higher variant of Agneyastra shot by Ashwathama and it apparently baffled it, however in reality Shiva's boon to krishn protected pandavs from getting deep fried.
• On 17th day Karna used Brahmastra to defeat a large group attack led. By the likes of bhim, satyaki, Dhristadyumna and several other warriors.
• Later arjuna used it against karna but he baffled it with his own weapons.
• In quick succession another Brahmastra was employed by arjuna but it too was rendered futile..
• Karna invoked brahmastra to counter aindrastra of Arjuna..
• Arjuna invoked brahmastra again but Karna cut of Gandivas String.
• Later after Karnas wheels were swallowed by earth, he used a higher variant of it against Arjuna which he apparently countered with his own Brahmastra but in reality Krishn and hanumaan were the only reason for his survival that day.

Arjuna used it the most(9 times) while Drona being second(6 times).

Why was Arjuna jealous of Ekalavya and destroyed his life?

 Let us look at the difference (in skill and natural talent) between Ekalavya and Arjuna which reveals why Arjuna was extremely jealous of Ekalavya.

Arjuna received basic as well as advanced lessons of archery from Kripacharya. Upto the level of four advanced methods of archery. Pandu being an exceptional archer obviously would've taught him earlier.

He then taught Kripa the four branches of the science of arms, and various other branches of knowledge, including all their mysteries and recondite details. In a short time Kripa became an eminent professor of the science (of arms). And the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra, and the Pandavas along with the Yadavas, and the Vrishnis, and many other princes from various lands, began to receive lessons from him in that science.'"

Drona’s school focused on specialisations and advanced techniques like Vyuh knowledge, fighting with multiple persons and so on.

Arjun became a seasoned veteran warrior under Drona's guidance. His excellence as well as years worth of training is evident from the following verses.

'Thereafter Drona began to teach Arjuna the art of fighting on horse-back, on the back of elephants, on car, and on the ground. And the mighty Drona also instructed Arjuna in fighting with the mace, the sword, the lance, the spear, and the dart. And he also instructed him in using many weapons and fighting with many men at the same time.

And hearing reports of his skill, kings and princes, desirous of learning the science of arms, flocked to Drona by thousands. Amongst those that came there, O monarch, was a prince named Ekalavya, who was the son of Hiranyadhanus, king of the Nishadas (the lowest of the mixed orders).

Arjuna's skills enhanced his fame throughout the land and hearing about it princes from other lands came to Drona's schools to be as skilled as Arjun himself.. One amongst those was the Tribal prince named Ekalavya. But Drona rejected him due to some reasons..

So he left and created a statue of Drona and began practising archery by himself Without any aid or guidance. Let us look at Ekalavya’s skill at this point of time.

The Nishada prince, touching Drona's feet with bent head, wended his way into the forest, and there he made a clay-image of Drona, and began to worship it respectfully, as if it was his real preceptor, and practised weapons before it with the most rigid regularity. In consequence of his exceptional reverence for his preceptor and his devotion to his purpose, all the three processes of fixing arrows on the bowstring, aiming, and letting off became very easy for him.

It's said that due to his determination, fixing arrows, aiming and releasing became so easy for him. These are the very basics of archery and he wasn't even proficient in those.

The starting gap between Arjuna and Ekalavya is Humongous. Arjuna has years of training and experience, proficient in 4 types of archery, possessed all celestial weapons barring Brahamstra and a seasoned warrior skilled in fighting with multiple warriors and in multiple weapons too, a veteran warrior. On the other hand, Ekalavya wasn't even a noob archer at this point.

Few months or years later…

Pandas went for hunting with their Dog and it strayed and encountered the tribal prince there. Upon seeing his filthy form, it began to bark loud at him. Just by tracking it's sound(sonic archery aka sabda ved), Ekalavya sent 7 arrows to its mouth sealing it shut without killing the dog.

It dashed back to pandas and upon seeing the handicraft of the marksman who did it pandas including Arjuna were amazed as well as ashamed realising their inability to perform such a feat.

The dog, thus pierced with seven arrows, came back to the Pandavas. Those heroes, who beheld that sight, were filled with wonder, and, ashamed of their own skill, began to praise the lightness of hand and precision of aim by auricular precision (exhibited by the unknown archer).

They met him and got the details and went back to Drona's school. Arjun however became incredibly jealous of him and saw Drona in Private.

He said ekalavya was far superior to himself and began to cry about it remembering Drona's promise to him that Arjuan woudl be his best student..

'The Pandavas then, having made themselves acquainted with everything connected with him, returned (to the city), and going unto Drona, told him of that wonderful feat of archery which they had witnessed in the woods. Arjuna, in particular, thinking all the while, O king, Ekalavya, saw Drona in private and relying upon his preceptor's affection for him, said, 'Thou hadst lovingly told me, clasping me, to thy bosom, that no pupil of thine should be equal to me. Why then is there a pupil of thine, the mighty son of the Nishada king, superior to me?"

Drona saw no other option but to permanently impair his skills, and therefore asked his thumb.

'On hearing these words, Drona reflected for a moment, and resolving upon the course of action he should follow, took Arjuna with him and went unto the Nishada prince. And he beheld Ekalavya with body besmeared with filth, matted locks (on head), clad in rags, bearing a bow in hand and ceaselessly shooting arrows therefrom.

And when Ekalavya saw Drona approaching towards him, he went a few steps forward, and touched his feet and prostrated himself on the ground. And the son of the Nishada king worshipping Drona, duly represented himself as his pupil, and clasping his hands in reverence stood before him (awaiting his commands). Then Drona, O king, addressed Ekalavya, saying, 'If, O hero, thou art really my pupil, give me then my fees.' On hearing these words, Ekalavya was very much gratified, and said in reply, 'O illustrious preceptor, what shall I give? Command me; for there is nothing, O foremost of all persons conversant with the Vedas, that I may not give unto my preceptor.' Drona answered, 'O Ekalavya, if thou art really intent on making me a gift, I should like then to have the thumb of thy right hand.'

The reason for Arjuna's jealousy and Drona seeking the thumb are exactly the same, Arjuna was no match to Ekalavya.

And the gap was not even close. A professional warrior was easily outclassed by a tribal nobody in a matter of few months or years. Such tremendous rate of growth as an archer made him a huge threat to Arjuna's stature.. Had he continued to improve Arjuna woudl've been left in the dust. Arjuna knew it. So did Drona. Therefore Arjuan was happy on seeing Ekalavya deprived of thumb and his jealousy left him knowing that without a thumb he would never be as good as himself.

'Hearing these cruel words of Drona, who had asked of him his thumb as tuition-fee, Ekalavya, ever devoted to truth and desirous also of keeping his promise, with a cheerful face and an unafflicted heart cut off without ado his thumb, and gave it unto Drona.

After this, when the Nishada prince began once more to shoot with the help of his remaining fingers, he found, O king, that he had lost his former lightness of hand. And at this Arjuna became happy, the fever (of jealousy) having left him.

Arjuna cannot surpass or even come close to Ekalavya no matter the amount of practise he undergoes or advanced techniques he learnt, Ekalavya was simply built different. If the case were otherwise Arjuna woudl've focused on improving his skills instead of whining to Drona. And Drona would've focused on training him harder instead of asking for Ekalavya's thumb. The fact is clear from the text..

Who was the oldest and youngest warrior (by age) to participate in the Kurukshetra War?

 OLDEST WARRIOR :-

• BAHLIKA - Bahlika is one of the oldest warrior in Kurukshetra. He is the elder brother of King Shantanu and paternal uncle of Bhishma Pitamah. He fought for the Kauravas and died at the hands of Bhima on 14th night battle.

• BHAGADATTA - Bhagadatta is undoubtedly the most eldest warrior participated in Kurukshetra war. He is the mighty son of Demon Narakasura and grandson of Lord Varaha. He is very old that he has to tie the headband on his forehead so that his skinfolds on his forehead won't obstruct his vision. He sided with Kauravas to take revenge for his father Naraka’s death and also his alliance with Kuru Kingdom after defeated by Karna in the latter's Digvijay Yatra. He is killed by Arjuna on 12th day war.

• KRITAVARMA - Kritavarma is the mighty Yadava warrior who fought for Kauravas as the commander of Narayana sena. Kritavarma is the eldest brother of Devamidha (Great Grandfather of Shri Krishna). He is one of the survivors in Kurukshetra war. He is killed by Satyaki in Mausala Genocide.

YOUNGEST WARRIOR :- I think Arjuna and Drupadi’s son Shrutakarma is the Youngest Warrior in Kurukshetra War as he born after Arjuna's celibacy exile.

What are some lesser known/interesting stories in Mahabharata?

 The fiery heroine Draupadi was not without kindness an affection. She was insulted, taunted and driven to the forest by the sons of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. When, Dusshasana pulled at her saree, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari would not help her. But after the war of Mahabharata, Draupadi looked after Gandhari with respect and affection; she treated her in the same way as she treated Kunti. She had a resolve that would not cool off after thirteen long years of suffering, and also sympathy for Gandhari after all was over.

When Aswathama (son of Dronacharya) who killed the sons of Draupadi, inspite of her great grief at the loss of her children, came to Pandavas, she moved forward and touched his feet and paid him his due respect. Bhima was unable to bear such sorrow and because of this, he was in great emotions which drove him to the point of exhibiting his physical prowess to the world. In fact he was looking at this quality of forbearance of Draupadi as a laughing matter. Bhima was greatly surprised at the peaceful attitude of Draupadi. He thought that the suffering of having lost all her children had driven her to insanity, for, otherwise he was not able to understand how a true mother could show such forbearance when the person who had killed all her children was standing before her. Draupadi was a great woman with exemplary character. When the strong Bhima was preparing to kill Aswathama with his bare hands, would it be possible for a weakling like Draupadi to go and stop Bhima? It was only the purity of her thought that was her strength. Draupadi was such a great woman that in order to protect right conduct, she would even oppose her husbands. But even now, it was Bheema who tried to avenge the death of her sons by uprooting the Shiromani (divine diamond) off the forehead of Ashwathama and thus ending his powers of invincibility.

Draupadi maintained the reputation of her husbands, her parents and parents-in-law. She wanted her parents to be proud of her, she wanted her children to feel that they are the children of a great mother, she wanted her husbands to feel that they were married to a great woman and she wanted her parents-in-law to be proud of her and she wanted to please them. Draupadi herself was always behaving in a manner in which she maintained the reputation of her family and her kingdom.

[ Ultimately, the fact that Draupadi stands quite apart from her five husbands is brought tellingly home when not even Sahadeva of whom she took care with maternal solicitude, nor her favourite Arjuna - tarries by her side when she falls and lies dying husbanded yet unprotected, on the Himalayan slopes ] during their journey to heaven - the Mahaprasthana. It is said, however, in some analyses of the Mahabharata, that only Bheema, at such a juncture tried to save her from her fall from the cliffs by extending an unsuccessful hand to catch her. He failed and Draupadi fell to the ground below and was dying a painful death when Bheema came to her side, consoled her and remained by her side till she eventually died. During these last moments, it is said, Draupadi realized the futility of her undying love for Arjuna and felt the selfless and unconditional love and support that Bheema had provided her at each moment in her life and repented the fact that she could never reciprocate the love of Bheema in equal terms.

What was the role of eklavya in Mahabharat? How he died?

 The role of Eklavya was to Aura Farm in Mahabharat Epic.

His whole purpose was to show that He was way above than any Student of Guru Dronacharya by himself, Never got any special training from childhood, Trained by himself, No special Guru or Birth, No divinity or special incarnation factors, No Boon nothing.

A single Nishada was superior to all the Kuru Princess combined, His skills put Drona in worry and Arjuna in the Pit of Jealousy and insecurity, Who was occupied with Celestial Weapons and got the knowledge of Dhanurveda fully from Drona himself.

Eklvaya was killed by Lord Krishna in a duel for the welfare of Arjuna, Cause he would have been a huge obstacle for Pandavs later on:

Proud and endued with steady prowess, the Nishada's son, with fingers cased in leathern gloves, looked resplendent like a second Rama. Undeprived of thumb, Ekalavya, O Partha, was incapable of being vanquished in battle by the gods, the Danavas, the Rakshasas, and the Uragas (together). Of firm grasp, accomplished in weapons, and capable of shooting incessantly day and night, he was incapable of being looked at by mere men. For thy good, he was slain by me on the field of battle.

Another reason for his death at the hands of Lord Krishna was Political as mentioned in Udyog Parva:

Ekalavya, the king of the Nishadas, always used to challenge this one to battle; but slain by Krishna he lay dead like the Asura Jambha violently thrashed on a hillock. It was Krishna, who, having Baladeva for his second, slew Ugrasena's wicked son (Kansa), seated in court in the midst of the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, and then gave unto Ugrasena the kingdom.

Eklavya kingdom was the ally of Jarasandha who was the sworn enemy of Lord Krishna and Dwarka. Eklavya served him and was the ace warrior from his side and used to challenge Lord Krishna, Both were opponents rather than sworn Enemies.

My Answer is based on KMG Mahabharat~

What happened about Astra Vidya knowledge after the Mahabharata?

 After Mahabharata war, only Arjuna, Ashwatthama and Krishna were alive, who had divine knowledge of astras. In those

Ashwatthama was cursed to be harshly sick, so he forgot all his knowledge of astras after the war.

Arjuna, he felt that this knowledge would harm people in the future and that's why he never shared it with anyone after war. When he hugged Krishna during his last times, forgot all his Astra Vidya. As Krishna mentioned that there was no use of this Knowledge after the war as Kaliyuga was coming.

Krishna himself did not give the knowledge of astras to anyone after that. And when he left earth, it was the start of Kaliyuga.

It was this reason the knowledge of all astras was vanished, because in this times people would have been using them to kill their personal enemies and ex 🙂.

We the humans of Kaliyuga are not capable of handling that much knowledge and intensity of the divine Astras. Even if we have it, we will definitely destroy our own world.

Edit :— Guys I missed a point and I read it in the comments below. Yes, God Parshuram, God Hanuman, Rishi Ved Vyas, Rishi Kripacharya and Vibhishan, all are alive and they have the divine knowledge of Astras. They are among the 7 chiranjeevis who are waiting for Lord Vishnu's 10th avatar Kalki. All the 7 Chiranjeevis are having divine knowledge of Astras and many other things. But their knowledge is hidden and only be given to Lord Kalki and not to anyone else.

How do the stories of Naga princesses like Ulupi and Sulochana reflect themes of love and loyalty in Indian mythology?

Sulochana

There have been three really famous Naga Princesses: Sulochana, Kumudvati and Uloopi

These three women are known for their beauty, devotion towards their respective husbands and their strong personalities.

Sulochana is mentioned to be a highly beloved and devoted wife of Meghnad. She was so devoted to him that instead of living without him in this world, she willingly followed him in death even when she knew even after Lanka would fall she would remain protected and honoured because the opponent was Shri Ram. She went to Shri Ram with permission of Ravana and Mandodari to beg for cut head of Meghnad which Laxman gave to Shri Ram as victory symbol.

Shri Ram tried his best to pursue her to not follow her husband in death, even offering to revive Meghnad back to life completely healthy but she preferred to respect her husband's martyrdom. Meghnad would have wanted to die like a warrior rather than coming back to life on enemy's mercy and she respected her husband very much. She took his head and cried and cried more and then she followed her husband in death. Her death gave immense pain to both parties and moved everyone to tears, such was her devotion towards her husband, she is considered one of the most chaste ladies ever born.

Kumudvati was daughter of Naga King of Sarayu river and her father was killed by Garuda. Ayodhya’s Kings were suppoters of Garudas as him being Vahana of Lord Vishnu. When Kusha (son of Shri Ram and Mata Sita) was sporting in Sarayu river with his wives (Champika and others), he lost a golden arm- bracelet gifted to him by his father. Servants told him Nagas took it and he brought out Garudastra to punish them. Naga King Kumud along with his sister Kumudvati came out and told him she took it by mistake when she was playing. He returned it and offered her hand in marriage to Kusha. He out of instant affection and to make Nagas his subordinate accepted her hand. More like it was a marital alliance after the weaker King surrendered and offered his sister for peace. Kusha got possession of most precious jewel (as said by Kalidas) called Kumudvati and Kumud , the Naga King got protection from Garuda by getting direct son of Lord Vishnu as his brother in law.

Despite the strategic nature of the marriage, Kusha and Kumudvati fell deeply in love. More so because she gave him his first son, Atithi which his first wife Champika was unable to give him. There was also an age gap between the couple because Kusha already had a married daughter who was Queen of Avanti (Kusha and Champika together had nine daughters).

When Kusha died, Kumudvati unable to live without him also followed him in death to reunite with her husband. In heaven they reunited and he shared half of throne of Indra and she shared Parijat with Indrani. Kalidas although doesn't explicitly writes it, he hints Kusha and Kumudvati as eternal lovers who couldn't stay apart and therefore reunited after death in heaven to stay together forever.

Both Naga Princesses of Ramayana era, Sulochana and Kumudvati were deeply and irrevocably in love with their respective husbands. They just couldn't process to live without them. By modern standards this seems like obsessive love and over dependence but in ancient era, such devotion was considered praiseworthy in a lady. Both women are hailed as chaste women but Sulochana is more popular than Kumudvati. Kumudvati is underrated because she didn't suffer any major tragedy in her marriage except death of her father, neither her co-wife Champika created problems for her. Kusha died in his old age after a war and she followed him in death.

Uloopi

Uloopi is a really strong and fascinating queen in Mahabharata. She was daughter of Naga King Kauravya. She was a lady with agency and made her own decisions. She fell in love with Arjuna when he was in exile and took him forcibly to her realm where he declined her offer of marriage but she reasoned with him and he accepted her hand. Later, they had a son named Iravan who died in Mahabharata war.

Uloopi is not a very major character in Mahabharata neither she is celebrated much but her strength, her courage to choose her own husband and her way of convincing Arjuna for love shows she was a strong personality.

Which Mahabharata character knew Krishna's true identity first?

 

Bhishma knew Krishna’s identity much earlier than anyone else.

In Sabha parva he elaborately explained why Krishna should be the one to take first worship.

Hrishikesha is the officiating priest, the preceptor, the bridegroom, ^ the snataka, the king and the friend. Therefore, Achyuta has been shown the homage. The worlds owe their origin to Krishna and in him are they dissolved. It is in Krishna that all the beings of this universe are established. He is passive nature, he is the active doer and he is eternal. He is supreme among all beings and it is for this reason that Achyuta is the eldest. Intelligence, mind, greatness, wind, energy, water, sky, earth and the four kinds of beings^ — are all established in Krishna. The sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the directions and the intermediate directions — are all established in Krishna.

Ch 35 Sabha parva Bori critical Edition

Bhishma also knew the Nara Narayana origin of Krishna and Arjuna through Narada.

the same way, Narayana killed many others in that battle. Behold! These two immensely valorous ones have arrived as the maharatha warriors Vasudeva and Arjuna. It is said that they are the ancient gods Nara and Narayana. They are invincible in the world of men, and even against Indra, the gods and the asuras. It is said that Narayana is Krishna and Phalguna 5 " is Nara. Narayana and Nara are one being, but have been divided into two. They have earned eternal and indestructible worlds because of their deeds. When the time for war has arrived, they are repeatedly born there and here. This is the task that they have to perform. That is what Narada, knowledgeable about the Vedas, told the assembled circle of the Vrishnis.

Ch 48 Udyoga parva Bori critical Edition

Bhishma took permission from Krishna to leave the body.

“O illustrious one! O god of the gods! O one who is worshipped by the gods and the asuras! O Trivikrama! O wielder of the conch shell, chakra and the club! I bow down before you. O Krishna! O Vaikuntha! O Purushottama! Grant me permission. Protect the Pandaveyas. They are devoted to you.

Ch 153 Anusasana parva Bori critical Edition

After him I think Kunti and Yudhishtir got to know Krishna’s reality.

Kunti said to Krishna

O Krishna! I know about the influence of your truth and your noble birth, and the intelligence and valour that you display in establishing your friends. In our lineage, you are dharma, you are truth and you are the greatness of austerities. You are the saviour. You are the great brahman. Everything is established in you. Everything will be as you say. Truth is established in you.” Govinda took his leave of her and circumambulated her. The mighty-armed one left for Duryodhana’s residence.’

Ch 88 Udyoga parva Bori critical Edition

Kunti prayed to Krishna to revive stillborn Parikshit. She knew he is all powerful supreme god.

Yudhishtira knew Krishna’s identity but so did other Pandavas including Draupadi.

Arjuna’s praise of Krishna in Vana parva proves the point. Same with Draupadi who acknowledged his omnipresence through her prayer.

So Bhishma leads the list in this regard.